taken 7 years ago, near to Glasgow, Great Britain

James Watt (1736-1819)

This statue of James Watt, situated on the SW corner of George Square in Glasgow, was erected in 1832. It was produced by the sculptor and founder Sir Francis Chantrey (1789-1841) and shows Watt seated in an elaborate chair, wearing robes and working with papers and calipers. Watt, born in Greenock and educated at Glasgow University, was a great industrial inventor who vastly improved the design and efficiency the steam engine. This was one of the most vital inventions of the Industrial Revolution, and was used to power all kinds of machinery, including trains, ships and steam-rollers. Without the power provided by this invention, Britain would not have been able to become a great manufacturer, nor would people have been able to make such long journeys across the sea to foreign lands. There are other memorials to Watt in Elmbank Street and Glasgow Green. Reference:-Link

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Discussion on NS5965

Gary's photo NS5965 : Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art shows nicely the original part of the building behind the portico - Tobacco Lord Wm Cunningham's mansion, 1778 - picture the building surrounded by gardens. Bought 1817 by Royal Bank, sold on to become Royal Exchange 1827, when bank built new premises behind. It was then extended and had the portico added. The hall at the back is splendid. The town's first telephone exchange was in the mansard, added 1880. It was taken over by the council in 1949 to house Stirling's Library. In 1996, refurbished to become GOMA. A f ew years ago the bsaement was remodelled again to house a library and cafe.